Boost Your Rural Business Income with Affiliate Marketing – A Simple Guide

Blog: Boost Your Rural Business Income with Affiliate Marketing – A Simple Guide

Affiliate marketing is a low-effort, high-potential way to earn extra income for rural businesses. By promoting products and services that align with your lifestyle, you can turn your recommendations into a steady revenue stream. Here’s a straightforward guide to how it works and how to get started, including tips on using AWIN and Amazon Affiliates for easy earnings.

What is Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate marketing is when you promote someone else’s product or service and earn a commission on any sales made through your unique link. When people click your link and make a purchase, you earn a small portion of the sale – a win-win for both you and the company!

How Does It Work?

1. Choose Products to Promote: Select products that match your brand or lifestyle, such as rural goods, animal supplies, or outdoor equipment.
2. Get Your Affiliate Links: Sign up for an affiliate program and receive a unique link for each product you want to promote.
3. Share Your Link: Post the link on social media, your website, or newsletters. When someone clicks your link and buys, you’ll earn a commission.
4. Earn Commissions: Each time a sale is made through your link, you get paid. Many programs offer a monthly payout based on your earnings.

Why Affiliate Marketing is Great for Rural Businesses

Affiliate marketing doesn’t require a huge following, and it’s perfect for smaller audiences who trust your recommendations. It lets rural businesses earn from everyday tools or supplies they already use and recommend to their community.

Types of Affiliate Programs

Here’s a look at a few common types of affiliate programs that work well for rural audiences:

• Product Affiliates: You earn by recommending specific products, such as farming equipment, animal supplies, or rural apparel.
• Service Affiliates: Promote services relevant to your community, like consulting, insurance, or online courses, and earn a commission for each referral.
• Commission-per-Sale Programs: Most affiliate programs pay per sale, with commission rates that vary depending on the brand (typically between 5-50%).

Easy Win with AWIN

AWIN is a great platform for rural businesses because it connects you to hundreds of brands, making it simple to earn commissions on products relevant to your niche. AWIN is flexible, allowing you to join as a company (ideal if you’re selling physical products) or as an individual promoting other brands.

Why AWIN Works Well for Rural Businesses

• For Product Sellers: If you have your own products (like farm produce, handmade goods, or local items), AWIN lets you set up an affiliate program for others to promote your products, expanding your reach.
• For Affiliates: If you don’t sell your own products but want to earn commissions, join AWIN to promote items that resonate with your audience, from outdoor tools to pet supplies. By joining AWIN, you’re eligible to earn commissions on sales from your links.
• Low-Cost Entry: AWIN charges a small sign-up fee, refunded once you earn your first commission, making it an affordable way to access a wide range of programs.
• Monthly Payouts: AWIN’s minimum payout is £20, so you don’t have to wait months to receive your earnings.

Quick Start Guide to Affiliate Marketing with AWIN

1. Sign Up on AWIN: Head to AWIN’s website and register as either a company or individual.
2. Choose Relevant Products: Explore AWIN’s network for products that align with your brand, like gardening tools, pet supplies, or outdoor gear.
3. Share Links on Your Channels: Post affiliate links on social media, in newsletters, or on your blog. Explain why you recommend each product to build trust with your audience.
4. Track Your Earnings: AWIN’s dashboard lets you see clicks and sales, so you can adjust your strategy as needed.

Amazon Affiliates: Set Up Your Own Amazon Shop

Amazon Affiliates is another easy way to earn commissions by recommending products directly from Amazon. Amazon also allows you to set up your own “shop” – a curated page of products you recommend.

1. Sign Up for Amazon Associates: Register at Amazon’s Affiliate Program to get unique links for products.
2. Create Your Amazon Shop: Once you’re signed up, create a storefront with products that fit your lifestyle, such as animal feed, farming gear, or rural living items. Share the link to your shop, and each purchase through it earns you a commission.
3. Earn from Every Purchase: Amazon’s program offers smaller commissions, but its vast product range makes it easy to recommend items to a broad audience.

Start Small, Earn Big

Affiliate marketing doesn’t need to be complicated. Even with a small following, well-placed affiliate links on social media or your blog can generate a steady income stream. Start by sharing products you genuinely use and love.

With platforms like AWIN and Amazon Affiliates, you can start earning quickly. And who knows? A few posts here and there could bring in an extra £50-100 a month, adding up to £600-£1,200 a year. Stay tuned for our next blog, where we’ll break down more strategies to help rural businesses thrive with affiliate marketing!